Beardsley Faces The Sack!

Last updated : 07 January 2018 By Footy Mad - Editor

Peter Beardsley is fighting to save his job as a Development Coach at Newcastle United after allegations of bullying reportedly included claims that he has racially abused players.

The allegation of racism is understood to have been made by African players in Newcastle’s Academy set-up and club sources have confirmed to Telegraph Sport that an investigation is underway with Beardsley set to learn his fate later this week.

Beardsley is due to meet chief executive Lee Charnley and head of safeguarding Steve Swinyard on Monday, with a representative from the Professional Footballers Association also present.

It had already emerged over the weekend that the former England international had been accused of bullying Newcastle’s young winger Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, but it is now thought further allegations have been made against him.

It is the second time the 56 year-old, who returned to the club he starred for during two successful spells as a player to coach in 2009, has been accused of bullying, although he was cleared of a similar allegation during a previous spell on the coaching staff following a Premier League investigation.

In 2003 he and academy director Kenny Wharton were cleared by the Premier League after allegations of bullying were made by former youth-team players James Beaumont, Ross Gardner and Neale McDermott, the son of former Newcastle assistant manager Terry.

When approached by Telegraph Sport on Sunday, Beardsley acknowledged he was aware of the allegations but declined to make any further comment.

The 22-year-old El-Mhanni will have a separate grievance meeting on Thursday, where it is understood he will present written statements from teammates that support his allegation of bullying.

The Premier League are aware of the matter but are not involved at this stage. Beardsley made more than 300 appearances for the Magpies in two spells, and also played for Liverpool and Everton, as well as being capped 59 times by England.